Barrier against vandalism, choice of intensity. Barrier and its types to ensure the protection of the territory. Features of the arrow. System selection criteria

Types of barriers - how to choose?

With the increase in traffic intensity on public roads and the growing requirements for safety and regulation of this very traffic, barriers have come to the rescue. Now it is difficult to imagine a parking lot or office center that is not equipped with this traffic controller. Which barrier should you choose?

Classification and types of barriers

In the era of progress, a large number of different barriers have appeared on the market, successfully exist and are developing. They serve, for the most part, to restrict the movement of vehicles at various sites. Visually, all barriers are similar, but inside they are different and are divided into three main types.

Manual barriers. The device does not provide auxiliary drives. The booms of such barriers are equipped with a counterweight to facilitate lifting the boom. Manual barriers are used in places with very low traffic throughput. I often have a boom support and locking mechanisms.

Electromechanical barriers. These devices are distinguished by the presence of an electric drive. An electric motor is connected to the barrier boom using a gearbox to lift it. This type of barrier is the most common and is used almost everywhere. Its design is quite simple and easy to use. Maintenance and repair of such devices is not expensive and is carried out in a very short period of time, which makes this type very attractive.

1. Hydromechanical barriers. The most expensive, but at the same time the most reliable and durable devices. Long service life is ensured by the absence of friction when lifting the boom. Also, hydromechanical barriers are characterized by noiselessness and smooth operation. But such a design is expensive to maintain and repair, although it is rarely needed.

When choosing a barrier, you need to pay attention to the throughput of the place where it will be installed, the width of the opening that needs to be blocked and the conditions in which the device will be used. Based on this, the ideal option is selected individually for each specific object. Only a properly selected device will ensure durable and uninterrupted operation.

Right at the end of the working day, two buyers from Novokuybyshevsk appeared in our GATES and BLINDS store. They were interested in purchasing a barrier. Having tested a working sample of a barrier produced by DoorHan and agreed with the price, buyers inquired about the intensity of use. That is, at what frequency of use the drive of this barrier is designed. As a result, they were given a comprehensive lecture))). The RIM company, a gate expert in Samara, considered it necessary to provide this information not only to them, but also to our potential customers in the online store.
So. The intensity of equipment operation is measured as a percentage. For example, an intensity of 50% for a barrier means that for normal operation without overheating the drive during an arbitrarily selected 10-minute time interval, the barrier arm should move no more than 5 minutes, and the rest of the time it should “rest”.
Example. The barrier boom lifting time is 5 seconds, and the full opening-closing cycle is 10 seconds. In this case, it is “painless” for the barrier to force it to rise and fall no more than 1 time in 20 seconds (that is, no more than 30 times within 10 minutes). If the boom works 2 times slower, then in 10 minutes not 30, but only 15 lifting and lowering cycles are allowed. Thus, the choice of equipment operating intensity is determined by the estimated number of arrivals and departures in 10 minutes. More intensive use than stated by the manufacturer is undesirable, as this can lead to malfunction of the barrier and its premature failure.

The opening time of a conventional (not high-speed) barrier in seconds, as a rule, is numerically equal to the length of the boom in meters. Knowing this, you can approximately estimate the required operating intensity of the barrier. If the equipment will be used by several owners, as in our case (the guys bought a barrier for the entrance to the courtyard of an apartment building, where each tenant has approximately 200), then the solution may be to purchase equipment with a deliberately inflated permitted operating intensity.
You can purchase a barrier in Samara by filling out

A barrier is a device designed to quickly block and unblock the path of movement of vehicles or pedestrians. Its working part is an arrow, which is a long bar made of a pipe or profile, which, as a result of movement, blocks or opens the path. The device got its name from the German word Schlagbaum, translated into Russian as “fallen tree.”

How the barrier works

Stand or cabinet (1) - this is the basic design of the device, which is equipped with a power mechanism if the system has an automatic drive. It is made from durable, corrosion-resistant material. Usually steel is used or its combination with concrete elements.

Arrow (2) – this is a direct working element that is used to block the path. It is usually made of steel or aluminum. Wood and plastic are used more rarely. The boom can have a different cross-section, ranging from rectangular, round and ending with triangular. The round shape is used in areas of high windiness. For better visibility, it is usually painted with stripes of red and white. Often photocells are glued onto it, which effectively reflects the light of the car's headlights. This improves the visibility of the boom when it is lowered, which prevents collisions with it. It can have different lengths, which is selected individually.

Barrier catcher (3) - This is an optional structural element that stops the boom and provides an additional point of support when the structure is in a closed state. This reduces the load on the rack. Additionally, barriers can be equipped with a skirt. These are hanging elements that allow you to visually enlarge the boom. This provides better visibility of the obstacle in heavy rain or fog.

In addition to the use of reflective photocells, it is possible to equip the barrier with its own lighting or light siren (4) , which greatly increases the visibility of the boom during bad weather conditions. Often, barriers can be equipped with sound equipment to create a warning signal when activated. This is especially true in conditions of poor visibility.

Types of barriers by control method

The main criterion by which barriers differ is the method of controlling their boom. According to this parameter they are divided into two categories:

1. Manual.
2. Automatic.

Manual type

These are the cheapest outdated designs that are practically no longer used. They can also be found in places with low traffic, where it is necessary to rarely lower and raise the boom. To ensure the operation of the barrier, the direct influence of human physical strength is necessary. This design may require direct force for opening and closing.

Sometimes there are improved technical solutions when the boom is equipped with a counterweight. In this case, if you unlock the structure, the barrier always opens. To lower it, you need to pull the hanging chain or cable. Using your own weight, you can put the boom in the closed position and lock it using a special latch. This method is less labor-intensive compared to directly moving the boom using only your own strength. The device is ideal if there are power outages or no power.

If the boom provides for vertical opening and there is a counterweight, then the latter has the ability to adjust its location. Thanks to this, it is possible to configure the barrier not only for its unauthorized lifting when unlocked, but also to give the boom almost zero weight. By achieving balance with a counterweight, you can significantly reduce the weight of the boom, so use a minimum of effort to open and close. Even if it was initially very heavy, with good balancing you can literally move the device with one finger.

Automatic type

Such barriers operate without the need for human physical force. They can move as a result of pressing a button or triggering a special alarm, for example, on the railway, when the boom is lowered when a train approaches without the need for human control. An electric motor or a hydraulic system can be used as a drive to ensure the movement of the boom. Electric barriers are the most popular due to their relatively low cost. However, they are less wear-resistant and reliable than hydraulic devices.

Types of barriers according to the method of opening the boom

Based on how they open, barriers are divided into 3 main types:

1. Vertical.
2. Rotary.
3. Recoil.

Vertical the barrier is the most common type. In it, the free end of the arrow rises vertically upward. Typically this option is used on automatic devices. Such a device is very convenient for installation on the path of vehicle traffic. At the same time, it also has disadvantages. When triggered, the boom is lowered with the probability of it falling onto the roof of the vehicle. This happens very rarely, but is quite possible. The fact is that from inside the car, when close to the barrier, it can be difficult to determine that the boom has worked. Such devices are also dangerous for pedestrians who may pass under them at the time of lowering. At the same time, the huge advantage of a vertical device is the minimal use of usable space.

Rotary barriers imply the movement of the boom in a horizontal plane. Typically, such devices are manual, but they are also found with automatic control. The boom opens using the same principle as a door. She moves in the opposite direction from the vehicles. In this case, it is necessary to free the radius around the perimeter of its movement. Such devices are safer. While moving, you can immediately notice that the arrow has worked and avoid a collision with it. In front of such barriers, it is necessary to mark the asphalt with a line for stopping vehicles, since if a car approaches too close, the boom will be blocked due to the lack of free space for turning.

Recoil the barrier is more like a light gate. It does not have a classic arrow, but is a kind of barrier. At its bottom there is a system of rollers that allows you to roll the obstacle away from the road surface. It is also a secure design that is easy to see. Thanks to this, collisions with it are eliminated even in rain or heavy fog. An electric drive is used to provide movement. A manual control option is also possible.

Alternative types of barriers

In addition to the classic design with a standard boom, barriers can also operate using a completely different technical solution. Chain barriers have become quite popular recently. They have 2 posts, between which the chain is stretched. It acts as an arrow. An electrical mechanism hidden in the rack tightens or lowers the chain. This allows you to reliably block the passage. Typically, the chains are lowered into a special groove on the road surface, so when moving through the barrier, vehicles do not come into contact with its links. This technical solution can be found in parking lots, as well as near shopping centers.

The undeniable advantage of a chain barrier is its high degree of safety. It cannot harm pedestrians, but it is quite capable of starting to lift the chain while a car passes over it. To eliminate this situation, manufacturers of equipment in a higher price segment equip it with a sensor system. They react if vehicles are in the path of the chain and block the mechanism for pulling it up. As soon as the machine is retracted, the boom will be retracted to the end.

Parking barrier

Also relatively new equipment for blocking passages are individual parking barriers. Of course, their design has absolutely nothing in common with classic devices of this type. The size of the barrier is approximately 60 by 80 cm. This barrier is a small metal frame that is mounted into the asphalt using anchors. It is much more reliable if it is electric welded to previously concreted metal rods or a special stand.

This technical solution is used to block unauthorized access to an individual parking space. When raised, the device blocks entry and does not allow unauthorized lowering of it, since it is equipped with an ordinary padlock, the key to which only the owner of the parking space has. This is an inexpensive device, the use of which implies the need to get out of the car and open the barrier lock every time. After its frame lowers down, you can drive through unhindered, since when folded, the height of the obstacle does not interfere even if the car’s ground clearance is low.

The purchase of a barrier may be necessary at those facilities where there is a need to restrict access of unauthorized persons to the territory. Today it can be found not only at railway crossings, but also in military units, in parking lots for vehicles, and also in the territories of elite villages or business centers.

The basis of a modern barrier and a list of its tasks

A modern barrier, as a rule, is a fully automated equipment, the operating principle of which is a hydraulic or electromechanical drive. Structurally, almost any barrier has a similar structure - it is a stand, an arrow of various lengths (can be made of steel, polymers, aluminum and made in various shapes), a balancing spring-counterweight and a motor with a control board. In order to soften the impact of the arrow when it touches the support, special protective dampers are used.

The main tasks that a barrier performs as an attribute of modern life in the city and beyond:

• gives the entrance to the territory a modern appearance;
• restricts the entry of undesirable persons and vehicles;
• has a wide range of applications;
• has great functionality;
• easy to use;
• saves time and much more.

Equipment throughput

According to this criterion, barriers can have low, medium or high throughput, which directly depends on the intensity of traffic to the site. If up to 100 vehicles enter the territory per day, then equipment with low throughput will be suitable, for example, this happens in country houses and garage cooperatives.

Average traffic intensity is when up to 500 vehicles pass per day. A good example would be a parking lot near a shopping center or a guarded parking lot. If the throughput of the equipment is not designed for such loads, it will simply overheat and fail.

An indicator of 1000-1200 lifts per day indicates a high traffic intensity. Such devices are necessary in the areas of airports or large shopping centers, as well as at controlled railway crossings. The choice of the required work intensity is based on the estimated number of arrivals and departures (raising and lowering the boom) over a certain period of time. Experts recommend buying barriers with a reserve of operating intensity in order to protect yourself from equipment breakdowns under increased loads.

You should not skimp on intensity, unlike other parameters, even if the purchase budget is limited. This threatens to damage the drive, the repair of which is expensive. This indicator is indicated as a percentage, for example, 30%, 50%, and so on. It means the time during which the barrier will remain at rest after opening.

The time for raising the boom and then lowering it for most barriers ranges from 2 to 10 seconds. The faster the boom moves, the greater the system's throughput will be.

Boom length

This criterion is not at all difficult to provide. The length of the boom will depend on the width of the opening that requires partitioning. This directly affects the cost of the entire structure. But if the opening width is too large, one boom will not be enough due to technical characteristics, so you will have to install 2 barriers on opposite sides of the passage.

At the same time, the arrow itself often becomes the target of vandalism by attackers. However, replacing it is not difficult if you work with professional companies. When determining the length of the boom, you need to pay attention to the ease of passage from the point of view of pedestrians, as well as the fact how convenient it is to supply power to the device.

Most barriers are equipped with an arm whose length is 14 meters. However, long equipment is often inconvenient to use and impractical. To maintain the balance of such an arrow, additional support will definitely be required. During bad weather and heavy gusts of wind, the likelihood of its fracture increases.

Construction type

The easiest to operate is a manual barrier, but it requires the constant presence of an employee. Its design does not provide a drive for automatic lifting. To make lifting easier, a counterweight is installed on the boom. But such design solutions are suitable only for objects with low traffic intensity.

The electric barrier model is equipped with an electric motor, which lifts the boom as it is connected to a gearbox. Its maintenance is quite simple and will not lead to financial costs. The hydromechanical barrier design is recognized as the most durable and reliable. It operates silently and rarely requires repairs.

Automatic models not only provide access to the territory, but also make access more comfortable. Automated access systems have a positive effect on the level of service for visitors and can also generate income for owners.

Which drive is best for harsh winter weather? The clear answer is electromechanical, which is better suited for low temperatures. It is better than a hydraulic one, which thickens the oil and requires adjustment and adjustment of the bypass valve at the pump.

But the hydraulic one works almost silently and for a long period of time, without stopping. Previously, it exceeded its electromechanical counterpart in its throughput. But with the development of technology, they have actually become equal in this indicator.

Equipment control methods and safety

These criteria should be selected after you have decided on the length of the boom and the throughput of the barrier.

According to the control methods, this equipment can operate as follows:

• using a remote control - the most convenient remote method;
• based on contactless access, when the boom is raised after swiping a magnetic card on the reader;
• using an active card located in the car, which itself sends a signal to raise and lower the boom;
• using a key, button or code combination.

Controlling the entire system using the remote control is, of course, much more convenient. But, if the distance from the operator to the signal receiver is more than 30 meters, this may lead to difficulties with the operation of the electronics. The same applies to operation in winter, when the batteries in the remote control are quickly discharged or when there are visible permanent obstacles in the path of the signal.

To increase the safety level of using a barrier or automation, reflective stickers, signal lamps or photocells are used that block the lowering of the boom, as well as rubber pads to prevent mechanical damage. Reflectors and other reflectors are attached directly to the boom of the device and provide additional visual control during its movement.

For those who have the opportunity not to save on control systems, we inform you that they have much more interesting technical capabilities. For example, record data about vehicles entering the facility, create and edit a list of access card holders, and introduce temporary restrictions on access to the facility. A very interesting feature is video identification, which automatically lets through those cars whose license plates are in the database.

Additional barrier options

Any customer can complete the finished device with additional accessories. Take, for example, a photocell - it increases the safety of life and health of others, since it does not make it possible to lower the barrier boom if there is an obstacle in the opening.

This allows you to prevent device damage and avoid controversial conflict situations. The photocell can be wired or wireless. The latter are easier to install, but are characterized by less reliability, while for wired ones you will need to make a groove.

A convenient option is the ability to unlock with a key or manually, which is useful during power outages. Manufacturers of some models equip them with the option of connecting batteries in the event of a power outage, so as not to stop the access control process.

Other models are equipped with a soft start and smooth deceleration function at the limiting point of the boom movement. This way, increased wear and tear on equipment is avoided and safety levels are increased.

Typical configuration of the barrier and its automation unit

What comes with a standard access system:

1. Mechanical part of the structure

• Arrow of a certain length;
• Barrier support post;
• Counterweight spring;
• Mounting plate;
• Drive unit.

2. Electronics

• Access Control System;
• radio control unit;
• Remote Control;
• photocells;
• signal lamp.

An automatic barrier is a kind of face of a company that demonstrates that it cares about its regular visitors and employees. You should take some time to install and maintain this expensive equipment. Some barriers are structurally complex and may require additional components and elements, as well as engineering knowledge and skills.

At any site, the installation of a barrier should be preceded by consultation with experienced specialists in this field. Based on the specifics of the facility, they will help suggest which equipment is best to choose - semi-automatic, manual or automatic, so as to provide access control and justify the investment. Professional installation of such equipment guarantees its long-term operation and the safety of surrounding people and property. When purchasing, you should check with the supplier about the availability of spare parts for the barrier and their delivery time.

To restrict access to any protected or closed area, to the courtyard of a private or apartment building, the best option is a road automatic barrier. Such a device will not be superfluous in any yard, in a closed parking lot, when travel on a specific road is limited. It has automatic control, which allows you to open its boom with the press of a button. The convenience of using such a device can hardly be overestimated, because the driver or other person responsible for the safety of the passage does not even make an effort to open it.

Automatic barrier at the entrance

Advantages of automatic barriers

These designs have the following significant advantages:

• Opening and closing of the boom is done from the remote control by pressing a button. In some cases, automatic barriers are equipped with photocells, which give a signal to close after vehicles have passed.
• Ensures reliable operation of the device when used in outdoor conditions. For example, in the courtyard of a house or in a parking lot.
• The length of the boom can vary in length, covering even a very wide passage. The manufacturer also produces barriers with two booms, allowing you to further expand the barrier area.
• Installation of an automatic device can be carried out almost anywhere where electricity can be supplied. You can especially often observe the operation of such devices in the courtyard of an apartment building, at the entrances to the courtyard of an elite building, and in private properties.
• Possibility of operation from various control devices.
• When there is a power outage, the operation of the automatic barrier does not stop. It can be supplied with backup power, and similar structures can be controlled manually.
• The cost of the device is quite reasonable, slightly higher than the price of a manual barrier.

Disadvantages of such barriers

Along with many advantages, automatic barriers also have several disadvantages that need to be taken into account before purchasing them:

• Installation of the device is possible only in places where electricity is supplied. Without this, the barrier will not work. Or rather, they will have to be controlled manually.
• Difficulty in power supply. It is necessary to provide an underground power cable. This leads to additional costs, which are not always justified. For example, if in the courtyard of a multi-storey building such costs are distributed among all residents, then in the courtyard of a private cottage only the owner of the house provides food.
• It is necessary to ensure regular maintenance of the electronic and mechanical devices that ensure the operation of the barrier.

Where are automatic barriers used?

Installation of automatic barriers is advisable in the following places:

• Railroad crossings. Signals to close the barriers are given at a certain distance from the approaching train.
• Guarded parking lots. For example, an entry restrictor into the territory of a restaurant or hotel allows you to get rid of the presence of foreign cars on its territory. This device also makes it easier to control the exit of vehicles from paid parking lots.
• The yard of any house, both apartment and private. Moreover, installing such a device in the yard helps ensure the safety of children playing. The placement of cars of residents of neighboring houses is also excluded.
• Prohibited territories, nature reserves, private properties.

Automatic barrier design

In appearance, an automatic barrier is practically no different from a manual one, but in its design it is a more advanced device. It consists of the following elements:

• The main cabinet, inside which there is a control unit, motor, gearbox and balancing spring. The cabinet is installed on a concrete base.
• Boom made of aluminum or steel. Usually hollow. May have a round or square cross-section. The boom length can vary from 2 to 12 m.
• A support post designed to support the tip of an arrow. If the boom length does not exceed 2.5 m, the support post may not be used.
• A system of sensors that respond to various actions of the driver and vehicle. Several sensors receive signals and then issue commands to open the barrier. There are also sensors responsible for safety. If for some reason the vehicle was delayed or did not pass through the checkpoint on time, the boom will not be lowered until it passes.

Very often, hydraulic mechanisms are used in the design of barriers to make it easier to raise and lower a heavy boom. They slow down the speed of the arrow as it approaches the extreme points. This ensures smooth operation of the mechanisms and extends their service life.

Device control methods

Automatic devices are controlled in the following ways:

1. Radio controlled key fobs. Every driver who has the right to enter a fenced area or the courtyard of a house has such a key fob. He doesn't even have to get out of the car to open the driveway.
2. Magnetic cards. When they come into contact with the reader located on the barrier stand, the boom opens.
3. Code panels. To clear the passage, you must enter the specified digital combination on the keyboard. Typically, such panels are located at the site security.
4. Mechanical opening buttons. They are controlled from the security console. The security guard, having checked the driver’s documents, presses a button and opens passage to the courtyard of the house or to a certain territory.
5. Automatic barriers can be connected to video surveillance systems, intercoms or other control systems. These systems can be located indoors or in the yard.

Characteristics of an automatic barrier

When choosing an automatic barrier, you must first familiarize yourself with the features of its operation, capabilities and characteristics. This will help you make the right choice. The manufacturer can complete its devices at its discretion, so you have every right to choose the elements you need. Attention should be paid to the following parameters:

• Arrow length. It is selected in such a way that the entire passage can be blocked. It should be taken into account that when using a longer boom, it is necessary to ensure the installation of a more powerful gearbox, as well as a more efficient engine. The barrier manufacturer must ensure this compliance.
• Availability of security elements. In the closed position, the boom should be clearly visible from afar. For this purpose, reflective elements, LED lights and lamps are attached to it.
• Bandwidth. This indicator determines how long the device can function without failure. For periodic use of the barrier there is no need to purchase a mechanism for intensive use. An inexpensive household option will also work. Conversely, at industrial enterprises or paid parking lots with a continuous flow of cars, it is necessary to install only a professional barrier. In this case, it will not have to be repaired annually.
• Device management. You must decide in advance how the operation of the barrier will be controlled. Most often, the boom is controlled from the security guard’s remote control, if such a remote control is provided. Radio-controlled key fobs and magnetic cards are also often used.
• Decide in advance whether you will improve the operation of the device in the future. For example, change the control method or install backup power. To do this, you need to provide additional space.

We can conclude that an automatic barrier is an excellent choice in many cases. With proper installation and proper operation, it will ensure the safety of the territory or facility.